Triggering Meaningful Change

A motivated and qualified workforce is crucial to increase productivity and quality of health services. Only when these are reached will the achievement of health service targets and of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) be realistic. It is well-recognized that in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), a shortage of workers and the poor performance of the health workforce deprive the poor of access to quality health care. Particularly in areas with high HIV prevalence, care...
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A motivated and qualified workforce is crucial to increase productivity and quality of health services. Only when these are reached will the achievement of health service targets and of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) be realistic. It is well-recognized that in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), a shortage of workers and the poor performance of the health workforce deprive the poor of access to quality health care. Particularly in areas with high HIV prevalence, care provision is likely to be compromised because of the additional impact of HIV/AIDS on health services and on the workforce. Little evidence exists on effective Human Resource Management (HRM) interventions to enhance the performance of health workers and to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on health workers in LMICs. Such information would be an important aid to policy makers and planners when formulating and implementing interventions to address access to quality services.

This volume contributes to building evidence and expanding the knowledge base in the field of HRM and health worker performance in LMICs. It identifies the impact of HIV/AIDS on health workers, explores the factors influencing motivation of health workers, and examines the evidence on the effectiveness of HRM on health workers' motivation and performance. In addition, it discusses whether HRM could contribute effectively to improving health worker performance in AIDS-endemic settings.